Routes with Special Restrictions

Restrictions During the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Certain large loads are restricted on state, US, and Interstate highways in the Black Hills area (Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, Meade, and Pennington counties) during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally period from the Thursday before the first Friday in August through the Sunday after the second Friday of August.

Single-Trip permits require approval from the South Dakota Department of Transportation’s Rapid City Region Engineer or designee if any of the following conditions exist:

• an escort vehicle is required
• the permit vehicle is unable to maintain a speed within 10 mph of the posted speed limit
• the permit vehicle length exceeds 110 feet
• the permit vehicle width exceeds the values for the highways shown in Table 17

County	Location	I-90	SD44	SD79	US212	All Other Highways
Custer	all locations			14′		10′
Fall River	all locations					14′
Lawrence	all locations	10′		10′
Meade	all locations	10′		10′	14′	10′
Pennington	east of Rapid City	14′	14′			10′
Pennington	south of Rapid City			14′		10′
Pennington	all other locations	10′	10′	10′		10′

Individual trips by annual permit holders require similar approval if any of the following conditions exist:

• an escort vehicle is required
• the permit vehicle is unable to maintain a speed within 10 mph of the posted speed limit
• the permit vehicle length exceeds 110 feet
• the permit vehicle width exceeds 14 feet
• the permit vehicle width exceeds 10 feet on any highway
• except US18 and highways south of US18

Travel must occur between one half hour before sunrise and 10:00 am. The Rapid City Region Engineer can be contacted during regular business hours at (605) 394-2244.

Black Hills Tunnels and Roads

Tunnels with limited height and width exist at several locations in the Black Hills. Commercial traffic should not use these sections of SD87 and US16A as through routes.

Table 18: South Dakota Tunnel Locations

Route	Tunnel Name	Milepost	Location	Width	Height
SD87	Iron Creek	66.85	6 mi SE of Sylvan Lake	9′-0″	11′-4″
SD87	Needles Eye	71.97	2 mi SE of Sylvan Lake	8′-4″	11′-3″
SD87	Hood	76.64	1 mi N of Sylvan Lake	10′-6″	9′-10″
US16A	Scovel Johnson	50.49	6.5 mi S of Keystone	13′-2″	12′-4″
US16A	C. C. Gideon	53.01	4 mi S of Keystone	13′-0″	11′-0″
US16A	Doane Robinson	53.65	3 mi S of Keystone	13′-2″	12′-2″
US16A	Miners Gateway	57.48	1 mi N of Keystone	41′-10″	15″-8″

Posted Weight Restrictions

Vehicle weights are restricted on some bridges on the State Highway System and on many county, township, and other local bridges and roads. The South Dakota Department of Transportation publishes a list of load-restricted bridges on the State Highway System, ordered by highway number and mileage reference marker, at https://sdtruckinfo.sd.gov/posted-structures/. Signs are posted at the restricted locations.

Restrictions on gross weight and axle weight are signed to show the applicable limits in tons as shown in Figure 2.

Restrictions may apply to single-unit vehicles, combination vehicles, and or both, as shown in Figure 3.

Structures restricted for heavy emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and towing equipment are signed as shown in Figure 4. A list of restricted structures on the State Highway System resides at https://sdtruckinfo.sd.gov/ev-posted-structures/.

Seasonal Load Restrictions

Certain highways are subject to spring load limits during the period of February 15 to April 30. Limited overweight permits are issued while spring load limits are in effect. Information on spring load limits may be obtained from the Department of Transportation at (605) 773-3704 or at https://sdtruckinfo.sd.gov/spring-load-restrictions/.

Winter Weather Restrictions

Studded Tire/Chain Law

South Dakota allows vehicles to use studded tires from October 1 through April 30. Some highways, particularly in the Black Hills region, may require motor vehicles equipped with chains, studded tires, or snow tires. Travel restrictions are conspicuously signed.

Enforced Road Closures

South Dakota may close or restrict the use of any state trunk highway for the protection and safety of the public due to inclement weather. Closures and restrictions may be announced by erection of suitable barriers to restrict or prohibit travel; notice in generally available media outlets; signing or warning devices on the highway; or flagpersons to direct traffic. Closures and restrictions are announced on South Dakota’s SD511 Traveler Information Service.

Persons who fail to observe the restriction or occupy a closed highway may be subject to a penalty of up to $1,000 plus the actual cost to rescue the violator, any passengers, and the vehicle in an amount not to exceed $10,000.